Illuminated sign and push button unit



Now 2,1937. c. LAN LQTZ 2,097,625

ILLUMINATED SIGN AND PUSH BUTTON UNIT Filed April 9, 1936 "flu-E- 3mm 6/1/9194 55 A. [IA/61 orz- Patented Nov. 2, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 2,091,025 nmmnu'rnn srcn AND rnsn' nu'r'ron mm at night, as well as the identification of the.

house to which the number sign may be applied. 1 Another especial object iof the invention has 15' been to so design the number sign and push button unit as to enable tlie same to be quickly and readily applied to the door frame or any equivalent portion of the dwelling upon which the unit 'is' used, without necessitating any sub- 20 stantial or material alteration of the part upon which the unit is to be mounted. 1

Still another object of the invention resides in the employmentof a combination sign and push button unit of the type referred to, which 25 may be readily placed in the low voltage circuit of an electric house bell system, and which will derive its illumination from the current of such system.

Still another and more specific objective in the so development of the detail construction of. my invention lies in the push button provision per se, the push button being so made as to be transparent or translucent, and adapted to contain directly therein the electric bulb or light by which 35 the sign and push button features of my device are lighted and'made readily locatable. How ever, it is to, be understood that my invention includes the provision of a push button member per se, which may be transparent or translucent,

40 being preferably made of glass or the like, the same being illuminated by light means whether the said light means-is carried directly by or connected to the push button, or located near the 1 same.

45 Another feature of my invention lies in. the construction of my push button device alone and irrespective of its association with any other device such as a number sign, the push button device comprising features of novelty. enabling 50 it to be advantageously employed by itself should such construction be desired.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the construction of thepush button device hereof such that it includes a manipulatable mem- 5 ber forming a part of the mounting of the. push button itself, by which the control of the possage of current to the light bulb by which the push button is illuminated may-be effected. In other words, the said manipulatable member is practically a switch enabling the illumination of the 5 push button to be effected in the evening and turned off in the day-time.

Since the low voltage current of the electric bell system of a dwelling is intended to be used for the illumination of the push button and the number sign device when combined, or when the push button is used alone, provisions are made so that the said current may be availed of and drawn from the electric bell circuit without any ringing of the bell under normal conditions, the manipulation of the push button, however, being such as to act upon the circuit connections and features in such a way as'to cause the ringing of the bell whenever desired.

The preferred constructions of my invention are-illustrated in several modifications in the ac- V companying drawing, inwhiche- Figure l is a front elevation of a combination push button and number sign unit embodying the invention: l V

Figure 2 is'a horizontal sectional view through the device of Figure 1.

.Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing more fully the push button structure of the device as illustrated inFigures 1' and 2 and bringing out the arrangement of the contacts, the revoluble switch plate, and other adjacent parts.

Figure 4 is a. fragmentary detail view of a "certain portion of the device of Figures 1 to 3,

the view being taken on the line H of Figure 1.

Figure 5 illustrates a view similar to Figure 2, but being a modified form of the invention.

'Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the central portionof the device as illustrated in 40 Figure 5.

Figure '7 is av diagrammatic view of the electric bell. circuit adaptable for use with the invention.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of another modiflcation of the invention. 4

Figure-9 is a front elevation of another modified form of the invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of a-portion of the electric circuit usable for the purposes of the invention. Referring to the construction of my invention as disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, my combination unit comprises the base member I of segmental or fan-shaped form, the same provided with an outstandingledge flange 2 and an oversimilar translucent hanging retaining flange 3. The base member I with said flanges forms a hollow structure adapted to receive therein the indicia members d, which are preferably disposed on an are conforming with the general contour of the base member l, each member l tapering from its outer edge toward its inner edge. Struck up from the base i are lugs to engage the lower inner edge of each member 5 to thus hold the outer edge portion of each said member interengaged beneath the flange 3. The base member is equipped on its underside with a casing or housing 6. The said casing or housing 6 has partially mounted therein at its innermost portion the depressible push button i, see Figure3, the same passing through an opening in the base i and being' formed with a shoulder or flange 8 adapted to abut with the base member l and be limited in its outward movement thereby. The push butten 7 is hollow and preferably made of glass or substance. At its inner end portion'adjacent to the flange 8, said abutment i may be internally threaded as at 9 to enable the threaded portion ill I preferably use an electric light bulb of very small candle power such as employed in flashlight lamps commonly on the market. Seated around, and receiving therethrough the push button 7, is a switch or actu ating plate l3. This plate is knurled as shown at Ma and capable of being revolved slightly.

The member is is held in place by a cover plate M carried on the base member l and overlapping the lower portion of the latter. The cover plate M is cut out near its middle portion as shown at Ma, and adjacent to the arc of the cut out portion said plate it is formed with a curved flange Mb which fits over the beaded edge portion use of the switch plate H3. The switch plate l3 carries an inwardly extending arm l5 adapted to engage with a contact arm l6 secured within the housing 5, said contact arm being of approximately U- form and having its free end adapted for electrical contact with the conductive screw thread portion it of the bulb. l2. Another spring con-' tact member ll is secured at E8 in the housing 8 and is adapted to be moved laterally into contact with the secured portion of the contact arm it at the point it.

A leadof the electric circuit provided for the lighting of the bulb i2 is connected with the member 66 at the point it and is designated 20. Another lead connected with the spring contact ll and forming a part of said circuit is designated 25 and is connected with the part il at the point l8, previously mentioned.

By slight pressure upon and turning of the switch plate l3 the arm l5 thereof may be slightly revolved to move the contact arm it away from the conductive member Ill of the bulb l2. This adjustment of the switch plate i3 is utilized to prevent the circuit through the bulb I? from being completed, so that during the day the bulb may not be lighted and current wasted. Normally, however-,. when the plate It is adjusted to permit contact-of the member l6 and the part Hi, there will be a suflicient'flow of electric. current from the lead 2Lthroi1gh the contact 67 to the contact part II), contacting arm l6, and lead 20, to maintain the so-called flashlight or similar bulb l2 lighted. a

. The spring contact I! tends to hold the push button at the outward limit of its movement.

There is included in the electric circuit comprisof an electric light bulb i2- to be screwed there indicia members 31.

aootgeat out, an electric bell 22, see Figure '7, and when the push button I is pushed inwardly against the normal spring action of the spring contact ll to connect the lead 2| directly with the lead 20 by the contact member I! engaging the member IS, the electric bell 22 may be rung.

Since the button i is hollow andtran'slucent, and since the bulb I2 is mounted therein, the location of the button will be quite apparent in the night-time through the illumination thereof by this arrangement.

Now referring to Figures 5 and 6, 1 note that the construction thereof is advantageous because the casing 6 is dispensed with as used in themeviously described modification. This enables the base member 23 to be readily placed upon the frame of a doorway without necessitating the formation therein of a recess that is necessary when the casing 6 is used in the construction of Figures 1 to 4. According to the construction of Figures 5 and 6, the base member 23 has a cover plate 2% similar to the plate Id. The indicia members 25 are mounted on the base plate 23 as previouslydescribed. For supporting the push button, however, there is provided on the outer portion: of the base member 23, and held in place by the cover member 26, a housing or casing 26. The housing 26 has a flange 2i adapted to be overhung by a portion of the cover member 2% adjacent the cut out portion 28 of the latter, whereby the housing is held in place on "the base member 23 and the part 26. The push button 23 is depressibly mounted in the central opening of the housing 265 and is formed with ashoulder 3F) interengaging a semi-circular translucent dome member 3!.

The push button 28 is translucent, of course, and the light bulb 32 therein is arranged so that its rays will pass through the member 29 and may be directed upwardly through the transparent dome member 3H so as to light the area of .because it is rotative in relation to the parts 3! and 26; it has an actuating arm 33 adapted to move the contact member 34 in a manner similar to the action of the parts l5 and I 6, and i3, previously described. The push button 29 is outpressed by the contact member 35, and the contact member 36 and the member 35 are connected to leads such as designated 2! and 28 in the con-.

struction of the previously described modification. The cover member 241 as shown in Figure 5 is attached to the base member 23 at the points 36 as by screws or the like. I

In the construction of my invention according to the modification of Figure 8, I use a combination push button and sign unit in which the sign section is somewhat rectangular in form and designated A. It contains therein the digit or At its lower portion the sign section of the unit carries a hollow downwardly tapering housing extension B on which the push button 38 is mounted, this push button being of the translucent illuminated type previously described. A push button plate 39 is probers 31 is obtained by light bulbs shown in dotted 7 5 lines in Figure 8 and designated 40. A switch 401: on the section B permits turning off of the current for the light bulbs during daytime.

The modification of Figure 9 is in some general respects similar to that of Figure 8, except that the entire combination number sign and push button unit is formed with an illuminated body, with the indicia members 4| arranged vertically, though they could be disposed horizontally, and the push button 42 located near the lower end of theunit. Light bulbs 44 are disposed in rear of and near the ends of the unit as shown in dotted lines and give suflicient light to amply illuminate the digit members 4| and the translucent push button 42. The electric circuit arrangement for themodiflcation of Figure 9 is the same as shown in Figure 10.

Referring to the circuit diagrams of Figures? 4 and 10, I describe one form of electric bell circuit I suitable for the purposes of the invention, as follows:

This circuit includes the line wires 46 and 41, g

and connected therein is the usual transformer 48 commonly used in house bell systems today. The lead 20 previously mentioned runs from the circuit wire 41, and the lead 21 from the circuit wire 46. Suitablyconnected in the side 41 of the circuit is'the usual electric bell 22, as mentioned before-and between the leads to said bell unit is interposed the resistance or impedance 48a of a value sufiicient to normally prevent ringing of the bell until the push button 1 is depressed sufficiently to connect the spring contact l1 with the contact I9 of the lead 20, thereby momentarily shorting the light circuit including the contact arm iiiand causing the current to flow directly between the leads .20 and 2| with ample voltage for ringing of the bell 22.

The base member has a lug 55 on which the lowermost portion of the rotatable switch member H3 or 26 rests or is supported, this lug extending upwardly from the bottom. of the base member 7 and thence forwardly to bear against the rear side of the member l3 or 26, as best seen in Figures l and 6.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. In a push button appliance of the class described, in combination, a base member, a push button movable thereon of translucent substance,

a light having its rays directed through the said substance of said button, instrumentalities for supplying electric current to the said light, and

. X. rays a switch member through which the button passes, cooperating with said instrumentalities, and means for movably mounting the switch member on saidbase member so that the light may be put out or lighted at will.

substance of said button, means connecting the push button and light so that they move as a unit, a movable switch, plate surrounding the button and relative to which the button is movable, and contact instrumentalities'operable by the switch plate to cause the light to illuminate the button and cut off such illumination. A

3. In a push button appliance of the; class described, in combination, a base member, a push button movable thereon, a light arranged so its may be directed through the button, switch means on said base member cooperating with said 2. Ina push button appliance of the class d elight, and a movable switch plate mounted adjacent to the button and said base cooperating with said switch means for rendering the light operative and inoperative.

4. A combination number sign and bell push button unitcomprising a base member, translucent members, indicia on said translucent members, a push button, and a light common to the button and translucent members and disposed substantially in the plane of the latter to thereby illuminate said push button, indicia and translucent members.

5. A combination number sign and bell push button unit comprising a base member, indicia 1 members thereon, a push button, and alight common to the button and indicia members to.

illuminate them, said light being mounted in the button with its rays directed laterally upon the indicia members, substantially in the plane thereof.

button unit comprising a base member, indicia members thereon, a push button, and a light common to the button and indicia members to illuminate them, said light being mounted in the button with its rays directed upon the indicia members through the body of the button and laterally in approximately the plane of said indicia members, the button being made of translucent substance so the light rays may be d1- button unit comprising a base member, indicia members thereon, a push button movable on the 6. A combination number sign and bell push base, a light for illuminating the indicia members, a switch member through which the button is movable and rotatively mounted on the base, contact means operable by the switch member to 'control action of said light, and means for mounting the light on and within the button so as to be visible therethrough.

10. A combination number sign and bell push button. unit comprising a base member, indicia members thereon, a push button and light unit carried by the base member, switch instrumentalities cooperating with'said button and light unit, said unit including a light bulb disposed on and visible through the push button, a movable switch plate, and an additional switch member on the base member coacting with said switch plate to render the light operative or inoperative.

l1. A-combination number sign and bell push button unit comprising a base member, indicia members thereon, a push button and light unit carried by the base member, including a light bulb disposed on and visible through the push button, a movable switch member on the base member coacting to render the light operative or inoperative, and a cover plate carried by the base member and interengaging the switch member to hold it in place but permitting its rotation to perform its stated function.

12. A combination number sign and bell push 4 enemas button unit comprising a. base member, indicie.

members thereon, a, push button and light unit to perform its stated function, the cover plate being disposed at the lower portion of the base member, and the indicia members at the upper portion, with the push button therebetween, and

the switch member surrounding the push button which passes therethrough, and a contact actuating arm carried by the switch member.

CHARLES L. LANGLOTZ. 

